Location: Monterosso al Mare
Top Things to do in Monterosso al Mare
What to do and see in Monterosso al Mare, Liguria: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
The last of the five villages along the Cinque Terre strip, Monterosso al Mare is the most visited, largely because it has the only sizable sand beach and the biggest hotels. Though it can get very crowded with tourists during the peak summer months, Monterosso is still delightful. The old town area, separated from the more modern resort area by the Aurora tower, is home to the ruins of a medieval castle and San Francesco church, which houses an important Van Dyck painting of the crucifixion.
Restaurants in Monterosso al Mare
1. Santuario di Soviore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By 52billk - Tracy, United States
We came to Cinque Terre for the wine and hiking and didn’t get to the hiking until our last day. This was well worth the effort. It is not an easy hike, in fact, it is a good hour of up-hill climbing but well worth the view once you get there. Wear good shoes and light clothes. I brought a camelback water bladder and towel because of the heavy humidity. It’s a beautiful hike with blackberries, small plumbs and wild pears along the trail. Well worth the effort.
2. Monumento a San Francesco d'Assisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By traveller_76587 - San Francisco, United States
Nice hike and views from the top. The statue is unique with the fact that the Saint is with his pet dog wondering nature.
3. Borgo Antico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 518 reviews
Reviewed By Canadianstraveling - Oakville, Canada
We stayed in the Borgo Antico section of Monterosso al Mare for four nights in May 2019. Having visited all five of the Cinque Terre towns, we were glad that we chose Monterosso and particularly its older section, as our base; it has a calmness and charm that, for us at least, made it very comfortable. We stayed at a wonderful B&B (Il Giardino Incantato) in a 500 year old building and ate three very nice dinners (at Via Venti and Gastronomia San Martino), all in the old section of Monterosso. We loved its old buildings, the charming side streets, getting lost in the alleyways, visiting the historic churches, browsing in the shops and walking up to the Church of San Francesco and the Capuchin Friars Monastery. It was memorable!
4. Torre Aurora
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 143 reviews
The medieval Torre Aurora or Dawn Tower separates the old part of Monterosso from the new part (Fegina).
Reviewed By lynnm154
Torre Aurora is one of the things that you will see when you hike St. Christopher Hill in Monterosso. Take the stair way that goes up the hill between the old town and the new town. At the top of the hill there will be a statue of St. Francis, Capuchin Monastery, and the back entrance to the old town. Excellent hike and spectacular views. The Torre Aurora is a private residence and one of 3 remaining towers out of an original 13 that were erected as lookout towers.
5. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By 17KAG - Edmonton, Canada
As we were heading back through the old town to the train station, we stopped in here for a look. A very beautiful church with some interesting interior decorations.
6. Oratorio della Confraternita dei Neri Mortis et Orationis
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By 51danielled57 - Melbourne, Australia
This church is very unusual, and has a lot to offer if you take the time to properly see it. Many strange signs and decorations made me look up information afterwards, as none of the signs are in English inside or outside. Only one italian website gives its history, and, from my limited understanding of the language, it is a Brotherhood that looked after the dead, or took care of them. Bizarre decorations point to that too. Absolutely wonderful, different and worthwhile. Wish I could understand its meaning better but definitely eye-catching. Next to the Chiesa, step from one into the other
